Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2023, attached.

DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2023 be signed as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the last meeting where not otherwise covered on this agenda and to report on items considered at the Cabinet.

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DISCUSSION:

The following membership changes were noted:-

Mrs Sue Lockwood, Diocesan Director of Education (CE) had been appointed as the faith schools substitute member (replacing Ms Claire Platt, former Diocesan representative).

ACTION:

County Solicitor (Fiona Rutley)

Report of the Head of Education (DEF/23/10), attached.

DISCUSSION:

The Chair welcomed Ms Donna Manson, DCC Chief Executive to her first Forum meeting.

(a) The Forum considered the Report of the Head of Education (DEF/23/10) on:-

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Attendance, Exclusions, Elective Home Education (EHE) and Children Missing Education (CME)

Alternative Provision

Ofsted

Staffing Changes

SEND Conference

SEMH Partnership Project

School Effectiveness.

Discussions and Members’ comments included:-

-whilst the KPI data for Attendance, Exclusions, EHE and CME was stark particularly within the secondary sector, it was important to have this level of detail available to all stakeholders.  SEMH was a significant factor within these KPIs and would be included in targets/more detail for the next Forum meeting;

-the Early Years representative advised that working parents were finding the part time timetables for children starting reception (particularly where lengthy and e.g. extending as far as the first half term) were difficult to manage in terms of leave and significantly increased child care costs;

 -clarification was required for schools that Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU) Basic Entitlement funding, which followed a pupil who needed an Education other than at School (EOTAS) package, was not given to Torlands School (medical provision academy) but used by the Local Authority to commission education packages. Schools remained responsible for examination arrangements for any student who remained on their roll. This should further be reviewed by the Schools Finance Group;

-concern that the most vulnerable pupil groups had the poorest attendance data, both unauthorised and authorised, requiring a consistent approach in cases of authorised absence.   (Noting Devon’s continuing work and progress to date to improve outcomes for its vulnerable children to address Ofsted concerns, social care provision, Early Help multi-agency working and High Needs DfE Safety Valve intervention);

-assessing both pupils presenting with SEMH/SEN needs in mainstream education and the quality of teaching provision in place;

-SENCO and school bids for improved SEN provision within Devon;

-Devon SEN case studies to be widely communicated; and

-clarity required to concerned school staff regarding the current review of school effectiveness and school structures.  

(b) The Forum received the additional SEND Update document as published.

DECISION:

(i) that the transfer of AWPU (Basic Entitlement) funding to support Education other than at School (EOTAS) be further reviewed by the Schools Finance Group and report back to the Forum; and

(ii) that the Head of Education follow up other points raised by Members above as appropriate.

ACTION:

Head of Education (Rachel Shaw)

(a) Minutes of the Schools Finance Group (SFG), 7 June 2023, attached.

Also available at

Schools Finance Group (SFG) – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

(b) Report of the Director of Children and Young People’s Futures and

Director of Finance and Public Value (DEF/23/08) attached.

DISCUSSION:

(a) Schools Finance Group Minutes – 7 June 2023                 

The Forum considered the above minutes, including the respective minutes relating to the Finance Update Report at (b).

Also available at

Schools Finance Group (SFG) – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

DECISION:

(i) that the minutes of the Schools Finance Group (SFG), 7 June 2023 be received;

(ii) that in respect of SFG note 5, information to all schools on how to access various funding for asylum seeking children, to help reduce the burden on school budgets, would be welcomed.

ACTION: 

(i) Director of Finance and Public Value (Adrian Fox)

(ii) Head of Education (Rachel Shaw).

(b) Finance Update Report

The Forum considered the report of the Director of Children and Young People’s Futures and Director of Finance and Public Value (DEF/23/08).

The Report (DEF/23/08) covered:-

Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and Schools Funding Outturn 2022/23;

DSG Deficit Management Plan;

High Needs;

Early Years;

Carry Forwards; and

Risks.

The draft DSG outturn position was an overspend of £11.5 million prior to transfers to the DSG Adjustment Account and ringfenced balances, comprising Individual School Balances (ISB) of £20.8 million, ringfenced balances of £6.7 million and deficit transfer to the DSG Adjustment Account of just under £39 million.  Although an improvement of £1.7 million from month 11 position there was continued demand on SEN placements within the independent sector and the delays in implementing management actions identified within the Safety Valve / Improvement Plan.  Of the revised £10 million management action expected to be delivered in 2022/23 just under £5 million of the actions had been achieved, projecting a cumulative DSG deficit to March 2023 of £125.4 million, which was £3.2 million over what was stated

in the Safety Valve Submission, February 2022. The Authority had now been invited into discussions to join the next (fourth) tranche of the Safety Valve Intervention Programme, with Devon’s management plan being refreshed for submission to the DfE in July 2023.  A SEND refresh was held during May 2023 where Senior Officers of the Local Authority as well as school Headteachers and education staff looked at the current safety valve plan and projects aligned with the SEND Improvement plan and improve outcomes for Devon’s children. The increasing DSG deficit could have a considerable impact on future education budgets within the DSG as well as impacting on the financial sustainability for Devon County Council.

Forum discussions, together with Members’ comments included:-

-this was a particularly challenging time for the schools sector with a number of schools setting deficit budgets.  A clear and timely communication to schools to assist them in looking at their structures and systems and in not putting off difficult decisions to produce sustainable budgets would be welcome, noting for example that DCC admissions were encouraging schools to work collaboratively in areas where falling primary school roles were projected to be more significant, to support the longer term sustainability of all schools affected;

-the current and ongoing work with other LAs, including those  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

To note that following consultation with DEF Members in May 2023, that in reviewing Forum representation (required to be broadly proportionate, based on pupil census data - projected to September), this remains unchanged excepting for:-

Primary Phase               Maintained                 Academy*

HT                                   2                                 2

Governor                         2 (previously 3)**       2 (previously 1)** 

*academy members represent proprietor bodies, not necessarily restricted to HT/Governors.  

**primary phase pupil numbers projected 2023/24: Maintained 51.3% and Academy 48.7%.

The Forum received the update that following consultation with DEF Members in May 2023, that in reviewing Forum representation (required to be broadly proportionate, based on pupil census data - projected to September), this remained unchanged excepting for:-

Primary Phase        Maintained                Academy*

Headteacher             2                                  2

Governor                   2 (previously 3)**      2 (previously 1)**

*academy members represent proprietor bodies, not necessarily restricted to HT/Governors.

**primary phase pupil numbers projected 2023/24: Maintained 51.3% and Academy 48.7%

To review action and receive minutes for the Forum from its standing groups (excepting Schools Finance Group on agenda as above) and to receive summary/minutes from other groups:-

(a) Standing Groups

(i)  School Organisation, Capital and Admissions Forum

(A) Minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2023, attached; and

(B) Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport

(DEF/23/09) on admissions, attached. (Note:  this arises from SOCA meeting 7 March 2023, note 4).

Also available at

School Organisation, Capital and Admissions Group (SOCA) – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

(ii) High Needs Funding Sub Group

Minutes of the meeting held on 15 May and 5 June 2023, together with Note accompanying HNF minutes, re: SEND, attached.

(b) Other Groups

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The Forum received the following from its standing and other groups (excepting Schools’ Finance Group (SFG) minutes, (considered under Finance Update minute above):-

(a) Standing Groups

(i) School Organisation, Capital and Admissions (SOCA)

(A) Minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2023; and

(B) The Report (for information) of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (DEF/23/09) on admissions was withdrawn.

(Note: Any questions from Members on this Report to be sent direct to the Report author.  This matter arose from SOCA meeting 7 March 2023, note 4).

Also available at

School Organisation, Capital and Admissions Group (SOCA) – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

(ii) High Needs Funding Sub Group

Minutes of the meeting held on 15 May and 5 June 2023, together with Note for information, accompanying HNF minutes, re: SEND.

Meetings at 10am. Please check venue/arrangements https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

Wednesday 22 November 2023

Wednesday 24 January 2024 (revised date)

Wednesday 20 March 2024.

Meetings at 10am. Please check venue/arrangements https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

Wednesday 22 November 2023

Wednesday 24 January 2024 (date changed from 17 January)

Wednesday 20 March 2024.